What makes a successful container garden?
Good potting soil is the first key ingredient; you will want a mixture that provides a good combination of excellent drainage and aeration. Regular garden soil is too heavy and dense for use in pots.
"Look for 'professional' on the label," says Susan Hamilton, who oversees the University of Tennessee Gardens. "That word puts the potting soil in a whole different category. You will be paying a little bit more, but it will be high-quality. If your container garden fails, it won't be because of the potting soil."
To tell whether the potting soil has the right consistency, give it the squeeze test. "If it feels like pastry dough, yet it still crumbles, that's a good sign."
More advice from the experts:
Select plants that are compatible in terms of light, water, growth and the conditions in the chosen site. Don't mix a shade- and water-lover like impatiens with a dry-and-sunny plant like thyme. Some plants like mint are such aggressive growers they need a pot of their own.
Pay close attention to watering. For containers in sunny, hot or windy areas, watering twice a day may be necessary. A plant that has outgrown its pot will also need more frequent watering.
Consider using a water-absorbing polymer; it will improve the moisture retention of the potting soil. Follow the directions on the package.
Top-dress with mulch and a slow-release fertilizer. You'll be reducing the evaporation rate as well as eliminating regular feedings.
Courtesy Marie Hofer, gardening editor at HGTV.com.